Clare 5-16 Cork 3-16
IMPOSSIBLY, IT WAS a final that did justice to the vintage Championship that preceded it.
After 72 classic minutes that can stand proudly alongside the best in memory, living or otherwise, Clare are the 2013 All-Ireland Champions.
In a final with more twists and turns than a game of snakes and ladders, it was fitting that the man who stole the show wasn’t even on the team-sheet this morning.
Shane O’Donnell was a late inclusion at full-forward for Clare. By the 19th minute, the 19-year-old from Eire Óg had scored a hat-trick in front of 82,276 in Croke Park; by the final whistle, he had 3-3 and an All-Ireland medal.
O’Donnell’s third put Clare 3-6 to 1-6 up in a battle which very quickly lived up to the thrilling memory of the drawn game three weeks ago.
There was just five minutes on the clock when captain Pat Donnellan, lining out in midfield, burst down the centre of the field and shipped off to O’Donnell who finished past Nash. Eight minutes later, Conor O’Sullivan’s slip was punished by Conor McGrath who laid the chance on a plate for his ravenous full-forward.
O’Donnell celebrates his second goal with Podge Collins (INPHO / Donall Farmer)
This was always a game that Cork keeper Anthony Nash was going to play a part in and, in remarkable fashion, he drew the Rebels back into the game on 16 minutes. Twelve Clare defenders, including keeper Pa Kelly, stood between Nash’s 21-yard free and the goal but with power and precision, he found a way.
O’Donnell’s hat-trick goal pushed the gap back out. Clare were eight up before Cork closed the half with four unanswered points to leave it 3-9 to 1-11 at the break, a lot closer than Clare’s dominance deserved.
Clare defenders unable to stop Nash (INPHO/James Crombie)
The Rebels’ resurgence continued after the break and they managed five points to just one for Clare in the third quarter, a Pa Horgan free levelling the match at 3-10 to 1-16.
That was as close as Jimmy Barry-Murphy came to a 31st All-Ireland title for the Rebels. Clare scored 2-6 to Cork’s 2-0 in a blistering finale that served as a perfect crescendo to the summer.
Winter might be bleak but on a day like today, that hardly seems to matter.
Points from O’Donnell, John Conlon and Colin Ryan steadied the ship for Clare but when Seamus Harnedy placed the ball in the corner just out of Kelly’s reach with a deft groundstroke, Cork were poised for one last chance.
O’Donnell hoisted up in front of Hill 16 by his team-mates (INPHO/Donall Farmer)
But a stunning solo effort from Conor McGrath, topped by points from Kelly and O’Donnell gave Clare a firm grasp on the title with five minutes to play.
Late goals from Stephen Moylan and Clare sub Darach Honan made sure the drama kept up till James McGrath’s final whistle. It sounded the end of one of the great hurling summers, but Clare won’t mind.
Scorers for Clare: Shane O’Donnell 3-3, Colin Ryan 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Conor McGrath 1-1, Darach Honan 1-0, Tony Kelly 0-3, John Conlon 0-2.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-9 (0-7f), Seamus Harnedy 1-2, Stephen Moylan 1-1, Anthony Nash 1-0 (1-0f), Conor Lehane 0-2, Patrick Cronin, Lorcan McLoughlin 0-1 each.
Cork: Anthony Nash; Stephen McDonnell, Shane O’Neill, Conor O’Sullivan; Christopher Joyce, Brian Murphy, William Egan; Lorcan McLoughlin, Daniel Kearney; Seamus Harnedy, Cian McCarthy, Conor Lehane; Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Cronin, Patrick Horgan.
Substitutes: Stephen White for Egan (22), Stephen Moylan for O’Farrell (half-time), Tom Kenny for Kearney (38), Cathal Naughton for McCarthy (54), Killian Murphy for McDonnell (70).
Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnall O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, David McInerney; Conor Ryan, Brendan Bugler, Patrick O’Connor; Pat Donnellan (c), Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Colin Ryan; Podge Collins, Shane O’Donnell, Conor McGrath.
Substitutes: Cathal McInerney for Galvin (52), Nicky O’Connell for Collins (60),Darach Honan for O’Donnell (67), Seadna Morey for Kelly (71).
Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)
I thought the same thing at the time. Here’s our greatest rugby athlete being let down by the medical staff at the very end of his career (pre one more year). Why there wasnt a bigger outcry and inquiry at the time baffled me. Glad it’s now being centre staged. The medics have questions to answer
I agree completely , unfortunately people are selfish and just want him to continue playing as the man is so important to us. Somebody should have sat the man down and protected him. He has hopefully 40 plus years to live his life and he needs to remember that rugby ain’t everything.
the old saying rings true, ‘nobody shoots a winning race horse’
I imagine the medical staff are under severe pressure to get him back in. Strange decision – the irfu have a fantastic medical team as witnessed by the use of Dr. Falvey with the lions.
Have to admit- on most other things related to rugby I think the use of slow motion constant replays have made things that are quite innocuous look very serious. On this matter this guy is spot on, any brain injury needs the most time to recover- I love the game and selfishly I want him to come back on the field but the best thing for a concussed player is rarely considered in urgent situations. The More debate and awareness of this issue the better, we need to protect guys like these bravery from themselves.
I’m with you, Richard!
Nowinski is a top bloke. He’s done a lot of work to help reducw head trauma and concussions in pro wrestling and other contact sports
Well fair play to him getting involved in rugby.
I agree this guy stepped up after concussion put an end to his pro wrestling career… He had done an epic amount of work in regards to head trauma in sports…. Something that has to be taken more serious here….. As usual Ireland will not act until it takes a life…
I worry about BOD. He is so committed on the field and I hope he doesn’t end up with some long term injury at this stage of his career.
I remember the incident and was equelly amazed that BOD was allowed back on the field,he was very groggy and and unsteady on his feet,and i remember thinking that he must have bypassed the physio and had the final say,but for anyone watching,they just knew that it defied logic to see him back on with his head bandaged, but thats our Brian.
Agree 100 percent ..the hits in the game these days are scary, all players need to be protected and Bod is a national treasure ;)
In light of what we now know regarding knocks to the head and the potential risk of concussion, i think it is incumbent on sports managers to be fully versed on the danger associated with such incidents. Questions have to be asked as to the role of the medical team (or doctor) regarding a player who has suffered a concussion,or a severe head injury being allowed back onto the field of play in such a state.
In such scenario as outlined above, it is much better to err on the side of caution in order to avoid the potential for brain damage to occur and the long term implications that such injuries entail
There has been far too much talk and no action on the concussion issue. Why are the IRFU refusing to comment. The recent Falvey interview was complacency at its worst. Surely there is enough evidence now to warrant some official reaction either by John Treacy becoming involved or The Department of Health arranging proper investigation.